Load Distribution Devices

ABSTRACT

Load-balancing and bearing removal devices useful in removing bearings, such as rolling element bearings, for rotating machine maintenance and replacement. Insulation assemblies useful with bearing assemblies that fit in openings in bearing brackets of rotating machines, such as large synchronous motors or generators.

CROSS-REFERENCES TO RELATED APPLICATION(S)

This is a divisional of co-pending application Ser. No. 10/841,209,filed May 7, 2004.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The invention relates generally to the field of rotating machines, suchas motors and generators. More particularly, it relates to bearingassemblies used with such machines and devices useful when removing thebearing assemblies.

2. Description of Related Art

Rolling element bearings, also known as anti-friction bearings, arewidely used on many types of rotating machinery and have a limited lifespan. That life span can be reduced by misuse and adverse operatingconditions. Bearing removal is frequently required in the field as partof the rotating machinery's maintenance.

Traditionally, bearing assemblies have been designed such that theremoval of the bearing requires the removal of the entire bearingbracket that houses the bearing and that is mounted to the frame of therotating machine (e.g., a motor or a generator). FIGS. 1 and 2 show anexample of such a prior art bearing assembly.

Bearing 10 was positioned, or housed, in bearing bracket 20. Inner race12 of bearing 10 contacted shaft 30 of the rotating machine (the body ofwhich is not shown). Outer race 14 of bearing 10 contacted machinedcavity 22 of bearing bracket 20. Rolling elements 16 (balls in thiscase) were positioned between, and in direct contact with, the tworaces. An inner cap 28 was bolted to bearing bracket 20 with bolts 25positioned through bolt holes 27. The bearing bracket had a machined rim24 near its outer edge that fit with very little radial clearance intothe machined frame of the rotating machine. That tight fit between theframe and bearing bracket 20 is commonly known as a spigot fit, andbearing bracket 20's rim 24, which fit tightly inside of the machinedframe, is known as a spigot. Mounting bolts (not shown, but see FIG. 1,which shows mounting holes 32) secured bracket 20 to the frame of therotating machine to ensure that spigot 26 remained in contact with theframe. During normal operation, the rotor weight was transmitted throughthe bearings to the bearing brackets (there is typically one at each endof the machine) and through each bracket's spigot to the frame of therotating machine, which was supported by the site foundation.

Bearing 10 has been removed from rotating machines, such as motors andgenerators, using jacking bolts. Jacking holes 34 were positioned inbearing bracket 20. Jacking bolts are normal bolts that were screwedinto jacking holes 34, which were located evenly around the outside ofthe bearing bracket such that they aligned with flat, solid steelsurfaces on the frame of the rotating machine. As the jacking bolts wereplaced in jacking holes 34 and tightened, the bottom of the bolts cameinto contact with the steel surface of the frame. Gradual and eventightening of all the jacking bolts caused the jacking bolts to pullbearing bracket 20 out of the frame. Bearing 10 typically stayed inplace on shaft 30 because inner cap 28 was first un-bolted from bearingbracket 20. Because 10 normally stayed in place on shaft 30, bearingbracket 20 could only be removed a short distance before it had to besupported to keep it from falling onto and possibly damaging shaft 30.The weight of bearing bracket 20 (potentially over 200 pounds for a 300horsepower (HP) rotating machine) generally required a crane or otherlarge lifting device to be used for bearing removal on 300 HP (andlarger) motors.

To summarize, the following steps have been taken during removal of thebearing shown in FIGS. 1 and 2. The end of shaft 30 has been supportedusing any suitable mechanism, such as a crane or jacks. The mountingbolts positioned in mounting holes 32 that held bearing bracket 20 tothe frame of the rotating machine have been removed, as have bolts 25positioned in bolt holes 27 that held inner cap 28 to bearing bracket20. Jacking bolts have been inserted into jacking holes 34. The jackingbolts have been tightened gradually and evenly until spigot 26 ofbearing bracket 20 has been completely pulled out of the frame. Thesupported shaft end has been lowered down until the rotor core (notshown) surrounding shaft 30 contacts the stator core (not shown)surrounding the rotor core. The shaft support has been removed. A cranehas been attached to bearing bracket 20 and removed bearing bracket 20.A traditional bearing puller has been used to remove bearing 20 fromaround shaft 30.

An advance was made with the creation of the bearing assembly shown inFIGS. 3 and 4. Bearing assembly 40 (sometimes called a bearingcartridge) is positioned in a bearing assembly opening 42 of bearingbracket 20. Bearing 10 is seated inside of bearing assembly 40 insteadof directly in bearing bracket 20, as shown in FIG. 2. As a result, theend user only had to remove bearing assembly 40—not bearing bracket20—in order to remove bearing 10. Bearing assembly 40 is considerablylighter than bearing bracket 20 and eliminates the need for a crane.

Bearing assembly 40 includes a cylindrical insert 44, an inner cap 28,an outer cap 46, and bearing 10. Insert 44 was machined on its inside tohold bearing 10 tightly and had a spigot fit with bearing bracket 20.Insert 44 also had mounting bolt holes 48 through which bolts wereplaced to secure insert 44 to bearing bracket 20. Insert 44 also hadinsert jacking holes 49 that allowed for removal of the bearing assemblyfrom bearing bracket 20. Insert 44, outer cap 46, and inner cap 28 eachhad aligned openings (designated generally at 50) that allowed them tobe bolted together with bolts 52. Outer cap 46 was a disk that boltedonto insert 44 and that had a small clearance fit with shaft 30 to holdthe bearing grease inside of bearing assembly 40. Inner cap 28 also wasa disk that had a small clearance fit with shaft 30 for greaseretention, but also had two ring-shaped projections 51 and 53,positioned to align with inner race 12 and outer race 14, respectively,of bearing 10. Those projections allowed inner cap 28 to act as abearing puller.

During bearing removal, the jacking bolts positioned in insert jackingholes 49 pulled bearing assembly 40 out of bearing bracket 20. Becauseinner cap 28 was bolted insert 44, ring-shaped projections 51 and 53contacted bearing 10's inner race 12 and outer race 14, respectively,and pulled bearing 10 off of shaft 30 during removal. This eliminatedthe need for the end user to use a bearing puller. Also, the lighterweight of bearing assembly 40 (versus bearing bracket 20) and thepresence of bearing 10 in bearing assembly 40 reduced the risk of thebearing assembly falling sizable distances and damaging the shaft as thebearing assembly was pulled off of the end of the shaft.

To summarize, the following steps have been taken to remove bearingassembly 40. The end of shaft 30 has been supported. The mounting boltsrunning through mounting bolt holes 48 have been removed. Those samebolts have then been used as jacking bolts, inserted into insert jackingholes 49 and tightened gradually and evenly until bearing assembly 40was removed from bearing assembly opening 42 of bearing bracket 40.Shaft 30 was lowered until the rotor core (not shown) surrounding theshaft contacted the stator core (not shown) surrounding the rotor core.The shaft support was removed. The loose bearing assembly 40 was removedby sliding it off of the end of the shaft.

The inventors have discovered certain shortcomings associated with theremoval of bearing assembly 40 shown in FIG. 4. While removing bearingassembly 40 from bearing assembly opening 42, a large friction force isinduced between bearing 10 and shaft 30 tends to move shaft 30 in thesame direction as bearing 10. This shaft motion or force is transferredto, and undertaken by, the bearing or coupling at the other end of theshaft. If that bearing (i.e., at the other end) is a rolling elementbearing, the friction force between that bearing and the shaft willcause the entire rotor assembly to be moved in the direction of bearing10. Alternatively, the load will be undertaken by the rolling elementsof the bearing or the inner cap located at the other end of shaft 30.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present load-balancing devices and methods, the present bearingremoval devices, and the present methods useful in removing a bearingfrom around a shaft provide mechanisms and steps that address the forcetransfer problems described above. The present load-balancing devicesare configured for use with a rotating machine that has a shaft, abearing bracket surrounding the shaft, and a bearing surrounding theshaft. Certain embodiments of these load-balancing devices include ashaft engagement element that is configured to engage an end of theshaft; a bearing bracket engagement element that is configured to engagethe bearing bracket; and a connector element connecting the shaftengagement element to the bearing bracket engagement element; where theshaft engagement element, the bearing bracket engagement element, andthe connector element are configured with respect to each other suchthat at least a portion of the connector element will be positionedoutside the bearing bracket (i.e., closer to the exterior of the bearingbracket than to the interior of the bearing bracket). Other embodimentsof the present load-balancing devices and details associated with thoseembodiments are described below.

Certain embodiments of the present load-balancing methods includeproviding a rotating machine that has a shaft that has an end and ashaft position; a bearing bracket surrounding the shaft and having anouter surface and a bearing bracket position; and a bearing surroundingthe shaft. These methods also include fixing the shaft position relativeto the bearing bracket position to achieve a fixed shaft; and moving thebearing along a portion of the fixed shaft. Other embodiments of thepresent load-balancing methods and details associated with thoseembodiments are described below.

The present bearing removal devices are configured for use with arotating machine that has a shaft, a bearing bracket having a bearingassembly opening, and a bearing assembly positioned in the bearingassembly opening. The bearing assembly includes a bearing surrounding ashaft. Certain embodiments of the present bearing removal devicesinclude a shaft contacting element configured to contact an end of theshaft; a bearing assembly engagement element configured to engage thebearing assembly; and a connector element connecting the shaftcontacting element to the bearing assembly engagement element; where theshaft contacting element, the bearing assembly engagement element, andthe connector element are configured with respect to each other suchthat at least a portion of the connector element will be positionedoutside the bearing assembly (i.e., closer to the exterior of thebearing assembly than to the interior of the bearing assembly). Otherembodiments of the present bearing removal devices and detailsassociated with those embodiments are described below.

Certain embodiments of the present methods useful in removing a bearingfrom around a shaft include providing a rotating machine that has ashaft having an end; a bearing bracket surrounding the shaft and havinga bearing assembly opening; and a bearing assembly positioned in thebearing assembly opening, the bearing assembly including a bearingsurrounding the shaft. These methods also include using a device that(a) causes the bearing assembly to move in a first direction and (b)directs a force on the shaft in a second direction that is substantiallyopposite the first direction. Other embodiments of the present methodsuseful in removing a bearing from around a shaft and details associatedwith those embodiments are described below.

Also disclosed are apparatuses that include a bearing assembly having aninsulation assembly. Certain embodiments of the present apparatusesinclude a bearing assembly that is configured to be positioned in abearing assembly opening of a bearing bracket of a rotating machine.These bearing assemblies include a rolling element bearing that isconfigured to surround a shaft of the rotating machine; an inner caphaving a portion that is positioned on one side of the rolling elementbearing; an outer cap having a portion that is positioned on anotherside of the rolling element bearing; and an insulation assembly that isconfigured to substantially insulate the rolling element bearing. Otherembodiments of the present apparatuses and details associated with thoseembodiments are described below.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The following drawings illustrate by way of example and not limitation.The use of identical reference numerals does not necessarily indicate anidentical structure. Rather, the same reference numeral may be used toindicate a similar feature or a feature with similar functionality.

FIG. 1 is a front view of a prior art bearing assembly.

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view taken along line A-A in FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a front view of another prior art bearing assembly.

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view taken along line A-A in FIG. 3.

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of one of the present load-distributiondevices and one of the present insulation assemblies.

FIG. 6 is a front view of another of the present load-distributiondevices.

FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view of one of the present bearing removaldevices.

DESCRIPTION OF ILLUSTRATIVE EMBODIMENTS

The terms “comprise” (and any form of comprise, such as “comprises” and“comprising”), “have” (and any form of have, such as “has” and“having”), and “include” (and any form of include, such as “includes”and “including”) are open-ended linking verbs. As a result, a device ormethod that “comprises,” “has,” or “includes” one or more elements orsteps possesses those one or more elements or steps, but is not limitedto possessing only those one or more elements. Likewise, an element of adevice or a step of a method that “comprises,” “has,” or “includes” oneor more features possesses those one or more features, but is notlimited to possessing only those one or more features.

Thus, and by way of example, a load-balancing device “comprising” ashaft engagement element configured to engage an end of a shaft; abearing bracket engagement element configured to engage a bearingbracket; and a connector element connecting the shaft engagement elementto the bearing bracket engagement element, has, but is not limited tohaving only, the recited elements and features. That is, theload-balancing device possesses at least the recited elements andfeatures, but does not exclude other elements or features that are notexpressly recited.

The terms “a” and “an” are defined as one or more than one unless thisdisclosure explicitly requires otherwise.

FIG. 5 shows one embodiment of the present load-balancing devices. Theterm “load-balancing” does not mean that a perfect balance of forces isachieved using any of the present devices or methods. Load-balancingdevice 100 is configured for use with a rotating machine (not shown).“Rotating machine” is defined as any machine having an element—such as ashaft—that rotates as part of the machine's operation. Rotating machineswith which the present load-balancing devices are particularly usefulinclude motors and generators, and more specifically those that arecapable of producing at least ¼ horsepower.

The rotating machine includes a shaft 110, a bearing bracket 120surrounding shaft 110, and a bearing 130 surrounding shaft 110.“Surrounding” is defined such that a first structure that surrounds asecond structure need not necessarily (but can) be in direct contactwith the second structure, and other structures may be disposed betweenthe first and second structures.

Load-balancing device 100 includes a shaft engagement element 140 thatis configured to engage an end 115 of shaft 110. The “end” of a shaft isdefined as including the outermost border of the shaft (also describedin this disclosure as the terminal point of the shaft, e.g., flatsurface 117 of shaft 110 shown in FIG. 5) through at least that portionof the shaft that contacts the bearing in the bearing assembly. “Engage”is defined as connect to. The types of engagements disclosed includeengagement through the use of mating threads, friction, magnetic forces,and any suitable mechanism or means for connecting two things.

Load-balancing device 100 also includes a bearing bracket engagementelement 150 that is configured to engage bearing bracket 120, and aconnector element 160 that connects shaft engagement element 140 tobearing bracket engagement element 150. As FIG. 5 shows, these threeelements are configured with respect to each other such that at least aportion (and, in this embodiment, all) of connector element 160 ispositioned on the outside 165 of bearing bracket 120. “Outside,” in thiscontext, is defined as closer to the exterior of the bearing bracketthan to the interior of the bearing bracket.

In the embodiment shown in FIG. 5, shaft engagement element 140 includesat least a bolt 142, which includes bolt head 144 and which is held toconnector element 160 by a nut 146. Bolt 142 is configured to engage,and engages, shaft 110 by being threaded at least partially into arecess 112 that starts at flat surface 117 of shaft 110 and extends intoshaft 110. For a rotating machine that generates approximately 1000horsepower, a one-inch bolt may be used for bolt 142, and a recess depthof 1.5 inches may be used for recess 112. Although only one bolt isshown as being used, multiple bolts may be used to better suit a givenapplication.

In the embodiment shown in FIG. 5, bearing bracket engagement element150 includes at least two bolts 152, each of which includes a bolt head154. Bolts 152 may be configured to engage (and, in use, engage) bearingbracket 120 by each being threaded at least partially into recesses 122in bearing bracket 120. Recesses 122 start at the outer surface ofbearing bracket 120 and extend into bearing bracket 120. Alternatively,bolts 152 may be not configured to engage bearing bracket 120, may benot provided with threads, and may simply rest against an unthreadedversion of recess 122. Bolts 152 are held to connector element 160 bytheir threads engaging the holes, or openings, 162 in connector element160.

For a rotating machine that generates approximately 1000 horsepower,one-inch bolts may be used for bolts 152, and a recess depth of 1.5inches may be used for recesses 122. Although only two bolts are shownas being used for bearing bracket engagement element 150, more than twobolts (e.g., 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, or more bolts) may be used tobetter suit a given application.

In the embodiment shown in FIG. 5, connector element 160 includes plate164. Plate 164 may have any suitable shape, including circular,rectangular (e.g., square), oval, etc. Plate 164 may have a series offingers that extend like spokes from a central section where opening 166is positioned through which bolt 142 is threaded or otherwise placed.Any shape that is suited to the application may be used, provided thethree elements are configured with respect to each other such that atleast a portion of connector element 160 is on the outside 165 ofbearing bracket 120.

Load-balancing device 100 may be used to solve the problem (discussedabove) with friction between the bearing being removed and the shaft ofthe rotating machine causing either the shaft or the entire assemblyconnected to the shaft (e.g., the rotor assembly) from moving in thesame direction as the shaft. Consistent with the present load-balancingmethods, using load-balancing device 100 will serve to fix the positionof shaft 110 relative to the position of bearing bracket 120, thusyielding a fixed shaft. “Fixing” the shaft position relative to thebearing bracket position does not require that the two be prevented fromall movement with respect to each other—slight movement is permittedowing to tolerances and the flexing or compaction of materials. Bearing130 may then be moved along at least a portion of the fixed shaft 110,and the resulting friction force between the moving bearing and theshaft is balanced by the reaction force provided by load-bearing device100. As a result, no loading will be placed on the opposite end of therotating machine.

FIG. 5 also shows one embodiment of a bearing assembly that includes aninsulation assembly. Apparatus 200 includes bearing assembly 250, whichis positioned in bearing assembly opening 125 of bearing bracket 120.

Bearing assembly 250 includes an outer bearing cap 255, an inner bearingcap 260 bolted to outer bearing cap 255 with bearing assembly bolts 257,and bearing 130, which, as shown in this embodiment, may be a rollingelement bearing. Bearing 130 includes inner race 132, outer race 134,and rolling elements 136, which may, as shown in this embodiment, beballs. As this embodiment shows, bearing 130 is configured to surround,and surrounds, shaft 110; inner cap 260 has a portion (the entire cap inthis embodiment) positioned on one side 131 of bearing 130; and outercap 255 has a portion positioned on another side 133 of bearing 130.Inner cap 260 and outer cap 255 may be made from any suitable material,including an industry-standard material such as A36 steel or gray castiron. Any commercially-available bearing may be used for bearing 130.

Bearing assembly 250 also includes insulation assembly 300, which isconfigured to substantially insulate bearing 130. The term“substantially” is defined as at least close to (and can include) agiven value or state (preferably within 10% of, more preferably within1% of, and most preferably within 0.1% of).

The embodiment of insulation assembly 300 shown in FIG. 5 includes innerinsulating ring 310; insulated bushing 320; and outer insulating ring330. Inner insulating ring 310 is positioned between bearing 130 and themiddle (not shown) of shaft 110. Insulated bushing 320 has a portion 322positioned around at least a portion of bearing 130. Outer insulatingring 330 is positioned nearing the terminal point (e.g., flat surface117) of shaft 110 than is inner insulating ring 310. Outer insulatingring 330 may be a seal that functions to retain bearing grease.Insulated bushing 320, inner insulating ring 310, and outer insulatingring 330 (which functions as (and is) a seal in certain embodiments) maybe made from any suitable dielectric material that possesses sufficientmechanical strength for the application. One such material is a glasscloth laminate impregnated and cured with epoxy resin, which materialmeets the NEMA G11 standard and is sold commercially as an epoxyfiberglass laminate sheet by International Paper (Stamford, Conn.).Outer insulating ring 330 may also be made a seal commercially availablefrom Inpro/Seal Corporation that has part no. M0098. Insulation assembly300 may be configured to substantially insulate bearing 130 from bothhigh frequency current (current having a frequency of from about 500hertz (Hz) to about 3000 Hz), and/or both high frequency and lowfrequency current (current having a frequency of from about 0 Hz toabout 500 Hz) by making insulated bushing 320 at least 0.25 inchesthick.

Although the basic embodiment of the present load-balancing methods wasdescribed above, additional embodiments will now be discussed. Thefixing of the shaft position relative to the bearing bracket position ofshaft 110 and bearing bracket 120 in FIG. 5 may be accomplished by,generally, contacting end 115 of shaft 110 with shaft engagement element140; contacting bearing bracket 120 with bearing bracket engagementelement 150; and connecting shaft engagement element 140 to bearingbracket engagement element 150 using, for example, connector element160. It should be understood that any suitable construction of thesethree elements may be accomplished to achieve one of the presentload-balancing devices.

One feature of the present load-balancing devices is that the variouselements be configured with respect to each such that pressure can beapplied to shaft 110 and bearing bracket 120, or pressure from shaft 110and/or bearing bracket 120 can be resisted, at the same time. Thus, thethree elements may be made from a single piece of material, such as theembodiment of load-balancing device 100 shown in FIG. 6. In thisembodiment, shaft engagement element 140 and bearing bracket engagementelement 150 are the result of machining a single piece of material.Shaft engagement element 140 takes the shape of a central projection141, which extend from and are integrally connected to connector element160 (which is a portion of the original piece of a material). Similarly,bracket engagement element 150 takes the form of end projections 151,which extend from and are integrally connected to connector element 160.The connecting step discussed above may, in instances where the shaftengagement element is integrally formed with the bearing bracketengagement element, take the form of the manufacturing process thatleaves those two elements integrally formed with each other.

Continuing with embodiments of the present load-balancing methods, thecontacting of the end 115 of shaft 110 with shaft engagement element 140may include inserting a portion of shaft engagement element 140 (e.g.,bolt 142) into recess 112 of shaft 110. That inserting may includescrewing bolt 142 into recess 112, where recess 112 is provided with oneor more threads. Similarly, the contacting of the bearing bracket 120with bearing bracket engagement element 150 may include insert bolts 152into recesses 122 in bearing bracket 120.

Another of the present load-balancing methods includes removing bearingassembly 250 from around shaft 110. In still another embodiment, where arotor core (not shown) surrounds shaft 110 and a stator core (not shown)surrounds the rotor core, the removing of bearing assembly 250 mayinclude supporting end 115 of shaft 110 (using a crane, one or morejacks, or any other suitable mechanism); removing the bolts (not shown)that hold bearing assembly 250 to bearing bracket 120 (the holes, oropenings, for such bolts are designated generally in both structures byelement 259 in FIG. 5); inserting those bolts (which may becharacterized as jacking bolts) into openings (which may be described asjacking holes, or jacking openings) in bearing assembly 250 (and, morespecifically, in outer cap 255) that are aligned with flat portions ofbearing bracket 120; tightening the jacking bolts (e.g., gradually andevenly; as many jacking bolts as are needed may be used, for example, 2,3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, or more jacking bolts may be used) untilbearing assembly 250 is removed from bearing assembly opening 125 inbearing bracket 120; and lowering shaft 110 so as to cause the rotorcore to contact the stator core.

The removing of the various bolts (discussed throughout this disclosure)may be achieved, in appropriate circumstances, without removing some orall of the bolts all of the way out of all the openings through whichthey are threaded. Furthermore, the tightening of the jacking bolts willserve to move bearing 130 along at least a portion of fixed shaft 110and, more specifically, will ultimately move bearing assembly 250 out ofbearing assembly opening 125 because inner cap 260 is connected to outercap 255, and inner cap 260 can be provided with a protruding shoulder261 that is configured to contact outer race 134 of bearing 130.Protruding shoulder 261 will, therefore, contact bearing 130 at outerrace 134 and help to move bearing 130 along fixed shaft 110 as bearingassembly 250 is jacked out of bearing assembly opening 125. Furthermore,in this embodiment, inner insulating ring 310 has a female notch 311that is in contact with a portion of inner cap 260, as shown in FIG. 5.Inner insulating ring 310 is configured (by virtue of its innerdiameter) to contact inner race 132 of bearing 130 and help to movebearing 130 along fixed shaft 110 as bearing assembly 250 is jacked outof bearing assembly opening 125.

FIG. 7 shows one embodiment of the present bearing removal devices.Bearing removal device 400 is configured for use with a rotating machine(not shown) having at least one shaft-mounted rolling element bearing.Rotating machines with which the present bearing removal device areparticularly useful include motors and generators. The rotating machinecan include the features of the rotating machine discussed above.

Bearing removal device 400 includes a shaft contacting element 440 thatis configured to engage an end 115 of shaft 110. Bearing removal device400 also includes a bearing assembly engagement element 450 that isconfigured to engage bearing assembly 250, and a connector element 460that connects shaft contacting element 440 to bearing assemblyengagement element 450. As FIG. 7 shows, these three elements areconfigured with respect to each other such that at least a portion (and,in this embodiment, all) of connector element 460 is positioned on theoutside 165 of bearing assembly 250. “Outside,” in this context, isdefined as closer to the exterior of the bearing assembly than to theinterior of the bearing assembly.

In the embodiment shown in FIG. 7, shaft contacting element 440 includesat least one bolt 442 and, more specifically, at least two bolts 442.Bolts 442, which can be characterized as jacking bolts, can be threadedand placed through openings 466, which can also be threaded. Thus, theconnection between connector element 460 and shaft contacting element440 can be a threaded one. Bolts 442 contact end 115 of shaft 110 (and,more specifically, flat surface 117 of shaft 110) and tighten to moveconnector element 460—and, thus bearing assembly element 450 and bearingassembly 250—directing a force through shaft 110 that a balancedreaction force to the force that pulls bearing assembly 250 out ofbearing assembly opening 125. The reaction force shaft contactingelement 440 delivers to shaft 110 keeps shaft 110 from moving withbearing 130 and/or bearing assembly 250 during that removal process. Fora rotating machine that generates approximately 1000 horsepower,one-inch bolts may be used for bolts 442.

In the embodiment shown in FIG. 7, bearing assembly engagement element450 includes at least two bolts 452, each of which includes a bolt head454. Bolts 452 are configured to engage, and do engage, bearing assembly250—and, more specifically, outer cap 255—by each being threaded atleast partially into recesses in outer cap 255. In the embodiment shown,those recesses may take the form of openings 259, which are the samethreaded openings through which bolts may be placed to connect bearingassembly 250 to bearing bracket 120. The openings 462 in connectorelement 460 may be threaded such that no nuts are needed to secure bolts452 to connector element 460. Alternatively, however, non-threadedopenings 462 and nuts (not shown) may be used to make that connection.For a rotating machine that generates approximately 1000 horsepower,one-inch bolts may be used for bolts 452. Although only two bolts areshown as being used for bearing assembly engagement element 450, morethan two bolts (e.g., 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, or more bolts) may beused to better suit a given application.

In the embodiment shown in FIG. 7, connector element 460 includes plate464. Plate 464 may have any suitable shape, including circular,rectangular (e.g., square), oval, etc.

Bearing removal device 400 may be used to solve the problem (discussedabove) with friction between the bearing being removed and the shaft ofthe rotating machine causing either the shaft or the entire assemblyconnected to the shaft (e.g., the rotor assembly) from moving in thesame direction as the shaft. Consistent with the present methods usefulin removing a bearing from around a shaft, using bearing removing device400 will cause bearing assembly 250 to move in a first direction(designated by arrow 473) and direct a force on shaft 110 in a seconddirection (designated by arrow 477) that is substantially the oppositeof the first direction. The force with which it causes bearing assembly250 to move in the first direction will be equal to the force that isdirected, or transferred, to shaft 110 in the substantially oppositesecond direction. As a result, no loading will be placed on the oppositeend of the rotating machine.

To be clear, the use of bearing removal device 400 can include engagingbearing assembly 250 (and, more specifically, outer cap 255) withbearing assembly engagement element 450 so as to cause bearing assembly250 to move in the first direction, and contacting shaft 110 with shaftcontacting element 440 so as to direct force on the shaft in the seconddirection. Bearing 130 will move as bearing assembly 250 (of which it isa part) move for the same reasons given above. In one embodiment, thecontact of the shaft may include contacting flat surface 117, as shownin FIG. 7. In another embodiment, the engagement of the bearing assemblyincludes inserting bolts 452 into openings 259 in bearing assembly 250(and, more specifically, in outer cap 255).

One feature of the present bearing removal devices is that the shaftcontacting element and the bearing assembly engagement element beconfigured with respect to each such that pressure can be applied toshaft 110 at the same time that bearing assembly 250 is withdrawn frombearing assembly opening 125 in bearing bracket 120.

Continuing with embodiments of the present methods useful in removing abearing from around a shaft, the engaging of the bearing assembly mayinclude inserting (e.g., by threading) one or more bolts 442 throughopenings 466 in connector element 460 and tightening the bolts (e.g.,gradually and evenly if more than one is used) until bearing assembly250 moves in first direction 473. In still another embodiment, where arotor core (not shown) surrounds shaft 110 and a stator core (not shown)surrounds the rotor core, the method may include supporting end 115 ofshaft 110 (using a crane, one or more jacks, or any other suitablemechanism); removing the bolts (not shown) that hold bearing assembly250 to bearing bracket 120 (the holes, or openings, for such bolts aredesignated generally in both structures by element 259 in FIG. 7); andlowering shaft 110 so as to cause the rotor core to contact the statorcore.

It should be understood that the present load-balancing devices andmethods, the present bearing removal devices, and the present methodsuseful in removing a bearing from around a shaft are not intended to belimited to the particular forms and steps disclosed. Rather, they are tocover all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives falling withinthe scope of the claims. For example, although rolling element bearingshaving balls for rolling elements have been shown in the presentfigures, other rolling elements—such as rollers—may be used.Furthermore, the claims are not to be interpreted as includingmeans-plus- or step-plus-function limitations, unless such a limitationis explicitly recited in a given claim using the phrase(s) “means for”or “step for,” respectively.

1. A load-balancing device configured for use with a rotating machinehaving a shaft, a bearing bracket surrounding the shaft, and a bearingsurrounding the shaft, the load-balancing device comprising: a shaftengagement element configured to engage an end of the shaft; a bearingbracket engagement element configured to engage the bearing bracket; anda connector element connecting the shaft engagement element to thebearing bracket engagement element; where the shaft engagement element,the bearing bracket engagement element, and the connector element areconfigured with respect to each other such that at least a portion ofthe connector element will be positioned outside the bearing bracket. 2.The device of claim 1, where the rotating machine is capable ofproducing at least ¼ horsepower.
 3. The device of claim 1, where theshaft engagement element, the bearing bracket engagement element, andthe connector element are integral with each other.
 4. The device ofclaim 2, where the shaft engagement element comprises at least one bolt.5. The device of claim 4, where the bearing bracket engagement elementcomprises at least two bolts.
 6. The device of claim 5, where theconnector element comprises a plate.
 7. The device of claim 2, where thebearing bracket includes a bearing assembly opening, and the bearing ispart of a bearing assembly positioned in the bearing assembly opening.